The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-02
A Well That Sends Forth Roaring Flame of
Fuel Exceptionally Valuable for Manu-
featuring and Heating Purposes.
Beginning Of a Boom Which Has Had
Remarkable Results in Ten Days.
Observation-Disclosures of Little City
That Promises to Develop Rapidly.
peeial to the lndianapolis Journa..

suel that brilliantly illumnates the banks of the
sssinewa, and daily attracts crowds of inter
ssted people, many of whom come from distance.
demonstrates that the modern boom is thing that
Is likely to be pretty sudden. Nolonger ago than
the first dav of the yet young year there was
doubtless not one even among the most hopeful
Of Marion's citizens who thought it possible that
there could be any DEVELOPMENT of hidden
sources which, in little more than three months
would bring about such marvellous change in
the business prosperity and prospects of the city
The steady growth of population and trade which
has made Marion one Of the most prosperous lit
tie cities in northern Indiana has been satisfac-
tory to its citizens, who are exceptionally care
fui and conservative in the course they pursue
regarding all their affairs. and they have been
content to allow the development of the
place to go on in it's even tenor
without any great amount of pushing The
citizens have had strong faith in their town, and
they have been richly rewarded for their patient
work in properly fostering and maintaining it's
heathful growth, which mas been of such
character as to we'll prepare it for the rapid de-
velopment that now promises to make it an i'm
portant manufacturing and business point, and
entitle it to much greater prominence on the
State map.
The story of the discouragements encountered
in boring for the wonderful supply of gas that
now flows from Marion's three wells furnishes
additional proof in support of the hAlf-supersti-
ious idea that great results are invariably at
tended, in sheir developing stages. by obstruct
i've and disheartenng forces, somewhat like bad
genii resisting mans entrance into new fields.
Nearly two years ago Messrs. James Sweetser.
W. M. Service, George SweeIser and two or
three other citizens urged the formation Of
company to bore for gas long before any such
enterprise had been undertaken in this State,
but they were unsuccessful in favorably i'm
pressing others with their ideas about such a
venture. and, after agtating the matter un.
til they were in danger of being
suspected of having lost their business saeacity,
they abandoned the proiec without however.
yielding their faith in its possibilities, because
they were very strongly of the opinion that it
was quite as likely that gas could oe found at
Marion at Findlay, o. After the successful
result of the boring at Kokomo. they again pro-
posed the organization of a company for the
purpose Of sinking we'll near this city. They
were aided in their efforts this time by Messrs.
and David Horton. and in last October the Ma
rion Mining Company. with capital stock Of
e5, 900, was organized. but even then many of
the citizens who subscribed for shares were
timid about risking much in the venture and,
In consequence, it was agreed that only so per
cent Of the stock should be paid in. The gen.
tlemen chosen the officers of the company
were Philip Matter, president; W. NJ. Service,
secretary. and George Sweetser. treasurer. The
company was slow to begin operations, and after
work was begun it was delayed by various OBJ
stacles. until the majority of the stockholders
became very much discouraged. and MANY
Of them were glad to dispose
of their stock at a considerable
sacrifice. To all except three or four confident
men il seemed as If more dollars had gone down
the troublesome hole than there was any reason
able hops for ever getting out of it. The pipes
collapsed. powders were struck and the drillers'
tools lost in quicksand. but, finally, at a
depth OF $50 fset shale gas was struck. 1t issued
forth in sufficient volume to make small flame
and encourage further work. After going down
until they had passed through eighteen feet of
Trenton rock the drillers concluded that it was
advisable to stop work, as they we're in danger
of striking salt water. The well, which was then
SS6 feet deep. was ''sho" and the flow of gas
from a six inch hole increased 200 per cent, Civ
ing pressure of about 800 pounds in five six
minutes. The escaping fuel was lighted and
was allowed to burn continually from the latter
part Of January until the I'd OF March, when il
was confined and put into use means of
Illuminating and heating the houses and manu-
factories Of the city. Although it is the weakest
Of the three wells that have been SINK it
furnishes supply of gas sufficient for
Ill ordinary purposes of the city.
After the discovery of gas it was found that the
amount of capital paid in by stockholders of the
company was insufficient AS an assessment of
so per cent more would not yield the amount
needed to lay pipes and put the gas nto use,
and as the capital stock could not be increased,
according to the State law, until an annual
meeting of the stockholders, it was found that.
although 1t had got the persstently- sought
prize, the company was not prepared to realize
she benefits of it A public meeting of the stock
holders held to consider the matter. Mr.
James Sweetser and Mr. Robert Spencer, who
had already bought up much of the stock, offered
to buy all that remained outstanding for fifty
cents a share more than it had cost the holders.
and organize a new company TO drill al the wells
necessary to supply the city with gas. pipe i,
throughout the place. and furnish it to consum
ers at az cheap or cheaper rates than are given
In surrounding towns. This proposition was
heartily approved, and was accepted by the ma
joritv Of the stockholders In fulillment OF
their agreement, Messrs Sweetser and Spencer
proceeded to organize the Mississinewa Mining
Company. which was Incorporated on Jan
%. and soon afterward The boring of another
we'll was begun. In the meantime the Marion
Coal-gas Company sunk well east of the city
near the Mississinewa river, and three weeks
ago struck gas, which flowed at pressure of 32t
pounds in less than TWO minutes. aud from this
they are furnishing their old customers
Three days later the drlllers CT well No. struck
gas, and it burst forth with n teri ifc roar
throwing pieces of Trenton rock two hundred
feet into the air. Cans thrown upon the vol
ume of escaping fuel were, by the force of its
flow, carried up the top of the derrick
Water thrown upon it disappears into mis-
forty feet in the air. When let of at full force
the escaping volume has an almost instantane
Gus pressure of 800 pounds. which. with the tx
ception OF the great Harg WELL is equal to any
of the best flows at Findlay. The terrific roar